23 replies

my gramma died in jan this year of diabetes. i was diagnosed not long after she died. it saddened me to think that may be my fate at some point! Hopefully this helps us stay motivated to beat diabetes! Sorry for your loss! God be with the friends and family!

Hi, Steely I know how you feel, believe me. It's only after we see what this disease can do and does do to people we love that we begin to take it seriously and start doing what we should do. For instance, my ex-husband, a big fairly healthy guy when I first met him years ago (even though he was T1) got into a such a deep denial about the disease, cheated constantly, and hardly ever took his readings. After some pretty serious complications, he has finally I think acknowledged what he's done to himself by not taking care of himself all these years. To date, he has lost one leg up to just over the kneecap. Now, the doctors are starting on the other leg because he's got diabetic sores that won't heal and he's developing gangrene in the foot. It's a very sad thing to see things like that happen to people we care about, and to realize that we can't do anything to really help them is even more frustrating for those of us who stand and watch. It's sort of like giving up smoking. Nobody can say anything to get you to give it up. The desire has to come from within. Then, once you have that sincere desire, then others can help with encouragement.

First, thank you all for your very kind words and wishes. He developed Cirrhosis of the liver due to obesity and diabetic complications. He did try to keep his diabetes under control but he had other health problems as well.

His weight was a major issue in blood pressure, he had cellulitus and kept a staph infection most of the time. It was just one thing after another with his health.

I have taken away, you need to be always vigilant. Take care of your diet and exercise and don't use insulin to cover what you eat. He was pretty bad for that. You have to stay on top of it.

Thank you again for your kindness and support, it means a lot to have people who understand.

You know, I have LEARNED so MUCH from this site! Your explanation of using insulin to cover what he ate, was mentioned in my own circle of friends here in town—I have decided that they aren't as aware of dangers like they should be—-

One lady has been poo-pooing her own numbers, "Not over 270!" Mine sure aren't that high—-then she said in her defense that a friend of hers "Just takes more Insulin" and eats what she pleases!! My blood just curdled—-Oh, NO< please tell her to NOT do that, it isn't safe in the long run—unfortuantely, this sadly proves that it didn't help—-I HATE to stir up blame in such a sad incident, BUT we all need to beware and try to do better about our diet and exercise. EVEN BORDERLINE CASES as one never knows when it can take that leap onto a higher plane!! HUgs to YOU and ALL, PR

So sorry to hear about your friend. Is there something positive we can take away from this? I'm wondering what specifically happened to him or her and how we all might benefit from trying to avoid such an outcome.

I am so sorry too!! But it does help me to realize that this disease is not to be ignored or something could happen to us SWEET people too!

My first cousin lost 2 legs, didn't take his diagnosis seriously and did whatever he wanted—died at age 60yr which I thought was young enough!! He was my "fishing buddy" out on their farm, many years ago. Scrambling up and down those weedy hills to the cool creek—no more- to wander and roam—What a sad ending, but unfortunately, it is the one he chose.